• M J Woolnough, C Hemingway, J Allam, M Cox, and S M Yentis.
• Magill Department of Anaesthesia, Intensive Care and Pain Management, Chelsea & Westminster Hospital, 369, Fulham Road, London SW109NH, UK. melwoolnough@doctors.net.uk
• Anaesthesia. 2009 Jan 1;64(1):50-3.

AbstractWe contacted the duty obstetric anaesthetist in 219 of the 220 consultant-led maternity units in the UK (99.5%) and asked about departmental and individual practice regarding temperature management during Caesarean section. Warming during elective Caesarean section was routine in 35 units (16%). Intravenous fluid warmers were available in 213 units (97%), forced air warmers were available in 211 (96%) and warming mattresses were available in 42 (19%). Only 18 (8%) departments had specific guidelines for temperature management during Caesarean section. Personal intra-operative practice was variable, although all of those contacted would initiate some form of active temperature management after a mean (SD) volume of blood loss of 1282 (404) ml, length of surgery of 78 (24) min, or core body temperature (if measured) of median (IQR [range]), 36 (35.5-36 [34-37.2]) degrees C.

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